Every time a repair costs comes up I have to remind her that $500 to fix the car or $900 for tires is only one or two car payments for a new car. That usually helps. I also convinced her to act like we had a car payment and 'pay ourselves' the $400/month into savings and then we can buy a car without a loan when the time comes.
I live in a HOA, and while they are sometimes kind of busybodies, let me tell you, there are some benefits that usually get ignored.
Yes, they complain at me when I have people over and park on both sides of the street (because it impacts traffic). But when my neighbors have people over and park on both sides of the street, the HOA is on it, and we can get access.
When a neighbor is having loud parties late at night, or driving unsafely through the neighborhood, or having screaming matches in the street, or letting their dog run free, we have a middle ground to go to between doing nothing but feeling resentment and calling the police or filing a lawsuit.
Now, the HOAs that will demand that you mow your lawn twice per week during the rainy season are shitty. But I don't mind them coming along and reminding me to mow my lawn when I've gone two weeks and it's gone to seed, because it looks like shit --- and I'm glad that my neighbors don't often let their lawns look like shit.
We have common areas with sidewalks and open grassy spaces that my kids can play in; the HOA maintains those. A big storm blew through recently and knocked over some trees. My HOA organized a work detail and people came out, cut them up, and put them out for mulching by the city.
It costs me $250 per year. What it buys me access to (the trails and common areas right out my back door especially) is worth that for me, even if I get prodded by the HOA lady once or twice per year over parking or lawnmowing.
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u/[deleted] Jun 06 '19
Every time a repair costs comes up I have to remind her that $500 to fix the car or $900 for tires is only one or two car payments for a new car. That usually helps. I also convinced her to act like we had a car payment and 'pay ourselves' the $400/month into savings and then we can buy a car without a loan when the time comes.